Sonic cleaning apparatus for pipes



Nov. 5,1968 F. A. BENBOW ETAL 3,409,031

SONIC CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PIPES Filed Nov. 18, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig./

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SONIC CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PIPES Filed NOV. 18, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F lefc/rerA Benbow Elvin H. Ryder, Jr.

; INVENTORS United States Patent 3,409,031 SONIC CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PIPES Fletcher A. Benbow, 613 W. 2nd St., and Elvin H. Ryder, Jr., 4206 Fernwood St., both of Odessa, Tex. 79760 Filed Nov. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 595,493 8 Claims. (Cl. 134169) This invention relates to ultrasonic cleaning wherein the surfaces of an article are cleaned by ultrasonic energy transmitted thereto through a fluent medium.

One of the limitations associated with ultrasonic cleaning apparatus heretofore utilized has been the amount of energy capable of being supplied thereto without overheating. In such cases, the article to be cleaned encloses a relatively small volume creating a problem in removing heat developed at the surfaces of the crystal through which the electrical energy is converted into ultrasonic energy.

Thus, the amount of energy supplied to the crystal has been severely limited by inadequate cooling facilities particularly where there is relatively little space within which the crystal is confined for cleaning purposes. One of the important objectives of the present invention therefore, is to provide a tool mounting the crystal element whereby rapid removal of heat dissipated by the crystal element is accommodated in a novel and eflicient manner.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic cleaning device capable of being easily displaced through relatively small and inaccessible locations such as pipes or tubing and yet properly position the crystal element associated therewith for uniformly subjecting the internal surfaces at any desired location to the maximum cleaning action of ultrasonic vibrations.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device is towed through pipes while maintaining a tubular crystal element associated therewith substantially concentric to the internal surfaces of the pipe. Electrical energy is supplied to the crystal element through a coaxial cable from a source of oscillating electrical energy operating over a wide band of frequencies. The ultrasonic energy output of the crystal element is transmitted to the internal surfaces of the pipe through a fluent medium circulated through the pipe in order to both remove debris and particles as well as to dissipate the heat generated at the cleaning device. The cleaning device is therefore provided with cooling passages for accommodating the flow of fluent material in contact with both internal and external surfaces of the crystal element.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a tube or pipe with a portion thereof broken away to show installation of the ultrasonic cleaning device of the present invention installed therein.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 22 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 33 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial side sectional view f 4 3,409,031 Ice Patented Nov. 5, 196

taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 4-4 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the disassembled parts forming the ultrasonic cleaning device of the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a block diagram showing the power supply associated with the cleaning device of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGURE 1, the ultrasonic cleaning device generally referred to by reference numeral 10 is shown installed within cylindrical tubing 12 having an internal surface 14 to be cleaned. A fluent medium 16 whether it be a fluid or a fluidized material, is circulated through the tubing. Thus, the ultrasonic vibrations emitted from the cleaning device 10 are transmitted through the fluent material 16 in order to remove unwanted material, or particles from the internal surface 14 which is either dissolved in the fluent material or flushed away as particulate matter suspended therein. Electrical energy from a remote source is brought to the cleaning device through a flexible coaxial cable 18 at a location to which the cleaning device is towed by the cable 20. Thus, the maximum amount of power for cleaning purposes will be made available at any desired location.

Referring now to FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, it will be observed that the cleaning device mounts a tubular piezoelectric crystal element 22 which is insulated from the fluent material 16 by a non-conductive film 24 which coats all surfaces of the crystal element in order to prevent short-circuiting by the fluid. Electrical energy is therefore supplied to the crystal element through conductors connected to the external and internal surfaces of the tubular crystal element as shown in FIGURE 4. The electrical energy supplied to the crystal element is in the form of an oscillating voltage causing the crystal element to oscillate at its resonant frequency the value of which depends on the fluent material 16 within which the crystal element is immersed. Although the crystal shape is cylindrical as shown in the drawings, it will be appreciated that this shape may be altered to provide focused or patterned sonic waves in order to accommodate any specific cleaning problem. Further, a suitable power source will be provided in order to furnish electrical energy at the required frequency to cause the crystal to resonate as Well as to vary the magnitude of the energy and thereby control the rate at which cleaning is accomplished. For example, the power source as shown in FIGURE 6 may include a Hartley oscillator 26 which drives a class C power amplifier 28 to which the crystal 22 is connected by the cable 18, the power output of the oscillator being adjustable by the variable power supply 30 and the frequency regulated through the frequency control component 32. The cable 18 is disconnectibly connected by means of the connector 34 to the cleaning device. The end portion of the cable at the connector 34 is secured to the cleaning device by a suitable clamp assembly 36 so as to relieve stress at the connector 34.

As more clearly seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, the towing cable 20 is connected to the cleaning device by means of an axially elongated bolt member 38 having an anchoring eye portion 40 at one end thereof to which the cable 20 is secured by the clamp 42. The bolt member is provided with axially spaced, threaded portions 44 and 46 in order to hold in assembled relation, a pair of mounting plates 48 and SLThemountingplate StLiS therefo-i'e-provided with an internally threaded central portion 52 receiving the threaded portion 46 of the bolt member while the plate 48 is provided with a central opening 54 through which the threaded portion 44 of the bolt member extends. A nut member 56 is threadedly mounted on the threaded portion 44 of the bolt member and bears axially against the mounting plate member 48 in order to hold the tubular crystal element 22 axially assembled between the mounting plates 48 and 50. The mounting plates are pr'ovided'with annular projections 58 and 60 within which the opposite axial ends of the crystal element are seated. Annular gaskets 62 and 64 are positioned within the annular projections 58 and'60 in order to axially space and seal the ends of the crystal element between the mounting plates. A gap 66 is formed in the annular projection 60 of mounting plate 48 in radial alignment'with the opening 68 within which the connector 34 is received in order to establish the electrical connections from cable 18 tojthe external and internal surfaces of the crystal element 22. Three radially outer openings 70 are also pro vided in the mounting plate 48 through which fasteners secure the cable clamp assembly 36 aforementioned.

The diameter of the mounting plate 48 is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the pipe with sufficient clearance to provide a sliding fit when the mounting plate is disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubing 12, as'shown in FIGURES 1. and 4. Thus, one axial end of the crystal element 22 will be held by the mounting plate 48 in radially spaced, concentric relation to the internal surface 14. The other mounting plate 50 is of reduced diameter and is yieldably supported in radially spaced, concentric -relation to the internal surface 14 of the tubing by means of a plurality of centering devices 72. Each centering device consists of a curved spring element 74 one end of which is anchored to the rim of the mountingplate 50 by a fastener 76, the spring elements extending radially from the mounting plate 50 and axially toward the mounting plate 48. The ends of the spring elements 74 remote from the mounting plate 50 rotatably mount non-conductive rollers 78 disposed in contact with the internal surface 14 in order to yieldably center the mounting plate 50. Accordingly, the crystal element 22 will be substantially maintained in proper spaced relation to the internal surface 14 throughout its axial length and yet permit a limited amount of tilting in order to facilitate axial displacement of the cleaning device through the tubing by means of the towing cable The mounting, plate 50 is provided with a series of circumferentially spaced openings 80 as shown in FIG- URES 2, 4 and .5 spaced radially inwardly of the tubular crystal element 22. Openings 82 are also formed in the mounting plate 48 radially spaced from the center thereof a distance equal to the radial spacing of the openings 80 from the center of the mounting plate 50. Accordingly,

the openings 80 and 82in the mounting plates form an axial cooling passage which extends internally through the tubular crystal element 22 in order to conduct the fluent mate-rial 16 in contact with the internal surface of the crystal element. Radially outer, circumferentially spaced openings 84 are also formed inthe mounting plate 48 in order to form cooling passages. through which the fluent material 16 is conducted in external contact with the-crystal element as the fluent material 16 is circulated through the tubing. In view of the cooling passages formed. by the mounting plates, the heat dissipated by the crystal element when converting electrical energy into ultrasonic energy, may berapidly and efiiciently removed. Higher energy levels are. therefore capable of being handled by the cleaning device.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation -shown riritl describetl, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with tubing enclosing a volume completely occupied by a circulated fluent material, apparatus for cleaning the internal surface of said tubing comprising, a tubular crystal elemerit, a flexible cable connected to the crystal element conducting electrical energy thereto, means mounting said crystal element in spaced relation to the tubing within said volume 'enclosedther'ebyior transmitting ultrasonic energy through the fluent= mat'e rial to the internal surface, said mounting means including cooling passages conducting-the fluent material internally and externally of the crystal element, towing means connected to the mounting means for displacement of the crystal elementthrough the tubing and earing means secured to the mounting means for maintain? ing said spaced relationship between thecrystal element and the tubing. i

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein saidrnou'nting' means comprises, a pair of plates axially spaced enthfe towing means having annular projections seating the crystal element, one of said plates being dim'ensioned'substantially equal to the cross-sectional peripheryofs'aid internal surface and sealing gaskets axially spacing crystal element from said plates, said cooling passages including radially inner openings formed in both of said plates through which fluent material passes internally of the crystal element and outer openings formed in said one of the plates spaced radially outward of the crystal, element, and clamp means mounted on said one of the plates for anchoring said flexible cable,..thereto.

3. ,The combination of claim 2 wherein said .towingf means comprises, a bolt member having axially spaced portions on which said plates are threadedly mounted, and an anchor portion connected to one end of the bolt mem ber adjacent the other of the plates. I

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said centering means comprises, a plurality of spring elements secured to the other of the plates extending radially outwardly. therefrom toward said one of the plates, and non-conductive rollers mounted by the spring elements in engagement with the internal surface axially between the plates.

5. In combination with tubing enclosing a volume com-. pletely occupied by a circulated fluent material, apparatus for cleaning the internal surface of said tubing comprising;

i a remotely located source of. electrical energy, crystal means for converting electrical energy into ultrasonic en ergy having a passage through which the fluent material may flow, a flexible cable connecting said source. to the crystal means, means mounting said crystal means in spaced relation to the tubing within said volume enclosed thereby for transmitting ultrasonic energy through the fluent material to the internal surface, towing means con nected to the mounting means for displacementof the crystal means through the tubing and centering means secured to the mounting means, and passage means formed by the mounting means for conducting the fluent material. internally and externally in contact with the crystal means to cool the same. 7

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said mounting means comprises, a pair of plates axially spaced on the towing means having annular projections seating the crys-., tal element, one of said plates being dimensioned, substan-- tially equal to the cross-sectional periphery of said internal surface and sealing gaskets axially spacing the crystal'element from said plates, said cooling passages including radially inner openings formed in both of said plates through which fluent material passes internally of the crystal element and outer openings formed in said one of theplates spaced radially outward of the crystal element, and clamp means mounted on said one of the plates for anchoring said flexible cable thereto.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said towing References Cited means comprises, a bolt member having axially spaced UNITED STATES PATENTS portlons on WhlCh said plates are threadedly mounted, and an anchor portion connected to one end of the bolt mem- 1274931 8/1918 F 134 167 XR ber adjacent the other of the plates. 2962695 11/1960 Harms 134-4 XR 8. The combination of claim 7 including centering 5 3175567 3/1965 Crawford 134 169 means mounted by said other of the plates for maintain- 3,267,504 8/1966 Cook et a] 134-167 XR ing the crystal means substantially in concentric relation to the tubing ROBERT L. BLEUTGE Primary Examiner. 

5. IN COMBINATION WITH TUBING ENCLOSING A VOLUME COMPLETELY OCCUPIED BY A CIRCULATED FLUENT MATERIAL, APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF SAID TUBING COMPRISING, A REMOTELY LOCATED SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY, CRYSTAL MEANS FOR CONVERTING ELECTRICAL ENERGY INTO ULTRASONIC ENERGY HAVING A PASSAGE THROUGH WHICH THE FLUENT MATERIAL MAY FLOW, A FLEXIBLE CABLE CONNECTING SAID SOURCE TO THE CRYSTAL MEANS, MEANS MOUNTING SAID CRYSTAL MEANS IN SPACED RELATION TO THE TUBING WITHIN SAID VOLUME ENCLOSED THEREBY FOR TRANSMITTING ULTRASONIC ENERGY THROUGH THE FLUENT MATERIAL TO THE INTERNAL SURFACE, TOWING MEANS CONNECTED TO THE MOUNTING MEANS FOR DISPLACEMENT OF THE CRYSTAL MEANS THROUGH THE TUBING AND CENTERING MEANS SECURED TO THE MOUNTING MEANS, AND PASSAGE MEANS FORMED BY THE MOUNTING MEANS FOR CONDUCTING THE FLUENT MATERIAL INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY IN CONTACT WITH THE CRYSTAL MEANS TO COOL THE SAME. 